Real Madrid sets its sights on first Liga title in 5 years

If Madrid fetch a high transfer fee for a couple of those players this summer, Zidane again can be applauded for trusting his subs and building up their market value, all while leading Madrid to one of its best seasons in team history.

Ronaldo scored early in each half as Madrid defeated 10-man Celta Vigo 4-1 on Wednesday to retake the league lead from Barcelona and move within a point of winning the title.

Real simply needs to get a point on Sunday at Malaga to win the league.

"We are going to Malaga to win the game, that's always our objective". "We knew that the three points were the most important thing, but we went out there to play, the win was only a outcome".

"But I am doing well and helping the team with goals at the moment, so I am happy".

Bale does have some support though, with Toni Kroos and fellow ex-Spurs player Luka Modric fighting his corner ahead of Real's second consecutive Champions League final.

"Such misses aren't normal for me", he said. This is a hard place to come and it was a tough game.

Just after half-time Celta had their best chance to get back into the game, but John Guidetti's control let him down 8 yards out.

Giving the astounding regularity with which he has scored crucial goals in these last few weeks, it appears CR7 was just waiting for the most momentous time to put his mercurial talents to use.

Thanks to Zidane's constant rotation and a new role as a centre-forward, Ronaldo seems fully fit as the season reaches its decisive stages. "We have been at this for nine months, with some difficulties at times, against very good rivals".

For Real Madrid, the remaining two fixtures are extremely crucial as a minor slip-up can cost them the title.

The Spanish midfielder has been in sensational form, recently. It also won a Champions League and La Liga double in 2011.

"Celta were really raring to win, but we showed that we were capable of managing the game", he said.

Dermot Corrigan is a Madrid-based football writer who covers La Liga and the Spain national team for ESPN FC.